Posts Tagged ‘college athletics’

I love sports. Pro football, basketball and baseball. The breeding ground for basketball and football is the college campus, and while there have been many discussions regarding what exactly defines a college athlete, and should they be compensated beyond room, board and tuition, that remains a work-in-progress.

A recent quote from Washington Redskins wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, almost made me lose my lunch. Now keep in mind, Jackson attended the University of California at Berkeley. Cal as it is better known, has been touted as the finest public institution in the world. Yes they have a football team, and apparently they look the other way when it comes to admissions for these players.

“I don’t feel no pressure, man. I been feeling pressure since I was a little kid walking down the street in Crenshaw.”

Really? Berkeley? 3 years at Berkeley?

I really have no problem with schools letting in premier athletes at a lower standard than the average student, but if a school does adopt this practice, make the kid attend school and help the poor guy or gal speak properly as to not embarrass themselves and the school. Most of these kids will never turn pro, let along get quoted by ESPN.

DeSean Jackson, Cal. There are 1000’s more just like Jackson who got screwed by their respective colleges because they lost their NCAA eligibility to suit up.

Make a scholarship just that. Put the kids on a path to graduate – regardless of eligibility. Yes, they received tuition, but they also tore knee ligaments, broke fibulas and got concussions – all to get the school’s name and mascot across the bottom of the screen on ESPN, Fox and Comcast.

It takes one college to step up and start this….Cal? Stanford? Iowa State?